Clamping device



Aug. ll, 1931. E. P. 'rouRNlER 1,818,659

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 28. 1927 Patented Aug. 1l, 1931 UNITED STATESFFICEl EDWARD .PAUL TOURNIER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CLAMPING DEVICE Application filed January 28,1927.

This invention relates to clamping devices, and more particularly to adevice for securing strands or cables to supports therefor.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive device for readily and securely attaching strands or cablesto supports.

In accordance with the general features of the invention, there isprovided in one embodiment thereof a member having a pair of oppositelydisposed jaws adapted to resiliently engage the flanges of an I-beam andmaintain an intermediate channel portion spaced from the face of theI-beam. The strands or cables are clamped to the face of the chan nelportion by means of resilient members having hooked ends engaging theflanges of the channel. The resilient members are also provided withloop portions to which similar members embracing additional strands orcables may be attached.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe following detailed description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figs. 1 and 2 are fragmentary elevationalviews illustrating a cable clamping device embodying the features of thepresent invention; f

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3*3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4- is a perspective view of the improved cable clamping device.

. Referring now to the drawings in detail, the

numeral 10 designatesa portion of an I-beam having the usual flanges 11and 12 and a web portion 13. A member indicated generally by thereference numeral 15 is adapted to be attached to the flanges of theI-beam, as best shown in Fig. 3. The member l5 is preferably composed ofresilient'sheet metal and comprises a channel portion 16 having jaws 17and 18 formed at each end thereof, the jaws being designed to firmlygrip the flanges of the I-beam. The jaws 17 and 18 are formed fromelongations 19 and 20, respectively, eX- tending at right angles fromthe base 21 of the channel portion 16.

In the presentembodiment of the invention, the portions 19 and 20 areoffset as infacilitate the c devices for attaching cables .to the I-beamat Serial No. 164,270.

dicated'at 23 and 24, respectively, (Figs. 3

and et), so that the jaws 17 and 18 resiliently engage opposite edgesofthe flanges 11 and 12 when the member is attached to thefI-beam. Thejaw' 18 is provided on its upper 3) with a sloped approaching surface 25to kattachment of the member to Lugs or ears 26 and 27 projectfrom theportions 19 and the I-`beam. ing at right angles 20, respectively, jandcooperate with the bent-overportions 28 and 29 ofthe jaws 17 and 18,respectively, to firmly grip the flanges of the I-beam support in suchmanner that the channel portion 16 is suitably spaced from the face ofthe I-beam.

When attaching the member 15 to -an I- beaml support the jaw 17 isengaged with one of the flanges of the I-beam and the opposite end ofthemember is then pressed towards the I-beam until the jaw 18 engagesthe opposite flange thereof. It is obvious that due to the slopedsurface 25, the jaw 18 Will move outwardly away from the jaw 17 when themember is pressed toward the I- beam and will tend to spring back to itsnormal position when it is in alignment with the flange 'of the I-beam,thereby cooperating withk the' jaw 17'tofiirmly gripthe I-beam support.

Aj resilient'clip 30 adapted to embrace a predetermined number of cables3,1 is provided with oppositely disposed hook portions 32 designed toengage the flanges ofthe channel portion 16. The clip 30 is alsoprovided with loop portions 33-33 by means of which a similar 'clip (notshown) embracing additional cables may be secured thereto.

When employingl the improved clamping to an I-beam support, a pluralityof members 15 are attached suitable points therealong in the mannerhereinbefore described. A predetermined number of cables are then placedin position' upon the base or web portions 21 of the tudinal axesparallel to each otherand prefi erably at right angles to the channelportion 16 of the supporting member. Resilient clips V30 are thenYplaced Iaroundpredetermined numbers of these cables and spaced along lip(Fig. ,5,

engage the face of the I-beam members 15 with `their longi- I ion l thechannel portions `from the supporting members and f devices embodyingthe features of the present invention, strands, cables or the like maybe attached to supports very quickly and with out the use of anyparticular skill. Furthermore, the clips may be readily disengaged the'supported strands or cables may be quickly removed when desired.However, when installed the strands or cables are securely maintained inposition.

Although the invention, as herein illustrated and described, isparticularly adapted for attaching strands or cables to I-beam supports.it is obvious that the invention is capable of other applications withinthe scope or the appended claims,

Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a device for attaching a strand to a support, a member having aunitary channel portion and a pair of oppositely disposed i jaws forresiliently engaging the support, and

means resting on opposite vertical sides o said channel portion forsecuring the strand thereto.

2. In a device for attaching a strand to an I-beam support, a memberhaving a pair of oppositely disposed resilient jaws engaging oppositeflanges of the support, one of said jaws having a sloped lip tofacilitate the attachment of the member to the support, a channelportion interconnecting said jaws and spaced from a face of said I-beamsupport and a resilient clip for securing the strand to the channelportion, said clip having a portion substantially embracing the strandand a pair of oppositely disposed hook portions engaging the flanges ofthe channel portion.

3. In a device for attaching a strand tov an I-beam support, a memberhaving a channel portion and a pair or oppositely disposed jaws forresiliently engaging oppositely disosed flanges of the support, each of4said jaws having a lug projecting thererom for engaging a ace of theI-beam to maintain the channel portion spaced from said face of theI-beam, and means resting on opposite vertical sides of said channelportion for securing the strand thereto.

4. In a device for attaching a strand to a support, a rectangular shapedelement having angularly disposed lateral and longitudinal portions, thelateral portions having inwardly disposed extensions engaging thesupport, the longitudinal portions provided with inwardly curved upperedge surfaces, and

means having portions complementary to the inwardly curved edge surfacesand resting thereon for securing the strand to the element.

5. Inadevice for attaching a strand to a support, a member having spacedjaw portions ior yieldably engaging opposite edges of the support 'and aportion interconnecting the jaw portions, one or' the jaw portionshaving an outwardly extending inclined lip to facilitate the attachmentof the member to the support, and means for attaching a strand to theinterconnecting portion.

In witness whereoit', I hereunto subscribe ilijhname this 15th day ofJanuary, A. D

EDARD PAUL TOURNIER!

